The Shenyi is a full-length, one-piece robe which links the Yi and Chang together to wrap up the body. It is cut separately, but sewn together. Shenyi was named because when worn "the body is deeply wrapped up". [Photo: xinhua]

The Shenyi is a full-length, one-piece robe which links the Yi and Chang together to wrap up the body. It is cut separately, but sewn together. Shenyi was named because when worn "the body is deeply wrapped up". [Photo: xinhua]

A group of famous Chinese scholars have jointly proposed to make the Han costume the uniform of the Chinese delegation during the 2008 Olympic Games.

Fu Lujiang, the chief of an old-style private school in Hebei province, was the initiator of the project. The man published an article online last year, advocating marking the upcoming Games with Chinese sounds and symbols. He received support from many noted professors and scholars from prestigious Chinese universities, academies as well as some Chinese culture experts from Canada.

They worked out a proposal for making the Han Costume the uniform for Chinese delegation during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.

The proposal has stirred hot discussion online since it was first published on Thursday. Some people say that it's a good way to show the world the uniqueness of Chinese culture, while others mention that people haven't worn the costume for a long time and can it still represent a real culture?

The Han costume or "Shenyi" originated in the Huangdi or Yellow Emperor period. It went on to serve as the formal suit for Chinese people until the end of the Ming Dynasty.

Fu says the proposal has been forwarded to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).

Last year, the BOCOG held a contest aimed at collecting people's suggestions for the outfit for the upcoming games.

The result will not be announced by BOCOG until the Olympics 100-day countdown ceremony.